Stretchable reinforced diagonal foundation garment



C. BROWN sept. 13,1949.V

STRETCHABLE REINFORCED DIAGQNAL FOUNDATION GARMENT Filed Nov. 20, 1945 ff/ff// //v E'lNVE'NToR @Ma/2e fazwz MW .ATTORNEY 49E Flay'. 2. 45E

Patented Sept. 13,l 1949 UNITED vSfIA'I'lZJS lPATENT oFFi-cs STRETCHABLE REINFORCED DIAG'ONAL FOUNDATION GARMENT -Garoline Brown, New York, N. Y. Application November 20, 1945, Serial No. 629,795

2 Glaims.

This invention Vrelates 'to 'foundation garments made particularly of elastic diagonally woven 'fabric having strands of greater and lesser stretchability.

Broadly, it is an object of my invention to provide a foundation garment 'made vfrom an elastic fabric woven on the diagonal to provide stretch- 'ability in all directions,

More particularly, 'it is an object of my invention to provide a diagonally woven elastic material having lesser stretchability for Vthe foundation "garment made from "such material so that certain of the squares or rectangles support certain portions of the body requiring such support.

Another object of my invention is to provide a 'foundation garment which `gives greater freedom of movement to the muscles of the body While supporting the ligaments without causing the wearer any restriction of movement or discomfort.

A further object of my invention is to provide ia 'foundation garment made from a vdiagonally woven elastic fabric so that the figure is supported at the 'abdominal region and at the sacral region, providing 'opposed diagonal pressure upon 'the said regions.

A further object lis to 'provide a foundation garment having the above 'mentioned advantages of simple and inexpensive manufacture land of economical use 'of material.

rA further object Vof my invention vis to 'provide ya foundation garment which automatically 'adjusts itself during periods 'of fluctuation of Weight because yof the stretchability of 'the garment.

A further yobject of a 'foundation garment YWhich will firmly 'support 'and 'persuade the muscles of the body "while Agiving natural 'freedom-of movement'of the muscles to the wearer.

Another object is to 'provide a foundation garment, the main body of which is comprised of two sections of different diagonally woven materials with elastic 'yarns of fdiiferent thicknesses seemed together at the opposed sides, providing support at predetermined regions `of Athe body of the person, and providing opposed diagonal pressure 'upon the abdominal region and the Isaoral lregion.

A further 'object 'of my 'invention is to provide a foundation garment'made of different materials -diagolally'wovenwith 'heavier 'and lighter elastic yarns, or Woven more closely 'or further apart providing squares -of-glreater-or Ilesser elasticity, seaniedtogether at the `opposed sides and with Aa my invention is to 'provide i an'inimum `of waste when made finto my ffotinda- .'55

Fig. l

2 'tion garment, while using a minimum of labor when manufacturing same.

For a fuller understanding of the nature and objects of my invention, reference is had t-o the following detailed description in connection lwith the accompanying drawings, .in which:

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic or developed `plan View of a diagonally Woven elastic material of heavier and lighter elastic .yarns or of elastic ,yarns set closer or further apa-rt `and `used for the front of my foundation garment.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic or developed plan view of a diagonally Woven lelastic material of heavier and lighter elastic yarns or of elastic yarns s et closer or further 'apart and used Vfor the baci; of my foundation garment.

Fig. 3 is a front view showing my foundation garment upon thegure.

Fig, 4 is a .rear View of shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 51s a side view yof the foundation garment shown in Figs. 3 and 4.

Referring -to Figs. l to 4, inclusive, rnumeral 35 represents a diagrammatic or developed plan view of a diagonally woven fabric of elastic yarns which are uniformly spaced apart and which cross one another at predetermined section-s so that a plaid is obtained having sections -of greater weight, strength and elasticity and designated D, E and F, respectively, in accordance with 'the degree of strength of said section. This fabric is a continuously woven fabric having sections which repeat in a predetermined plaid pattern so that the front of my foundation garment shown in Fig. 3 hereinafter 'mentioned and described can be cut. Fig. 2 shows a similar type of 'fabric used for the back :of the garment pictured `in Figs. 3, 4 and 5. The-section D has the weakeststrengt-h,

the Yfoundation garment lE has greater strength thanD, and VF v`has greater strength than either VD or E.

The dash lines 36 of the front of the represent the top cutting line garment yWhile vthe dash `lines '31 represent'the cutting line ofthe A.bottom of the front of the garment. In Fig. 2 'the vdash lines 13.8 represent the top cutting line of the back of .the garment and the ash lines 39 represent 'the :bottom cutting line of :the back .of the garment.

Figs. "3, 4 .and -5 'show :a foundation Igarment lformed from 'fronts cut from fabric .35 shown in and backs from the continuous fabric shown in Fig. 2. Figs. 3, 4-and25show1the relative 'position 'of the plaids representing the dif-ferent strength of the units as they appear fon 'the hu manlform. Thegarment .shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5 :is :comprised `of .a lfront and back, @seemed verfor section I2C. Sections ME and 42E being ofr lesser strength or having greater stretchability that section 40F, cover the hips of the wearer giving support to the ligaments and muscles of such portions without constricting or interfering with the normal movements of such ligaments and muscles. Section 43D has the greatest stretchability and is positioned over the lower abdominal region and upper thighs at the center front in order to provide the greatest freedom of movement for the legs.V Sections 44E and .45E are sections of lesser strength than section 4QF, giving support to the thorax or rib section and causes the garment to hug the figure preventing its riding either up or down and maintaining the garment in its proper position upon the wearer, and further retaining the garment in its original shape. Section 46D has the most or greatest stretchability and falls in the center at the upper front in order to give freedom for breathing and to relieve any pressure at the chest which may interfere with normal breathing. The upper portion of the garment may be cut in V-formations on the diagonal and with the weave to provide for brassire cups to fit'within such V-shaped cut outs as shown by dot and dash lines 41. Y

Fig. 4 shows the back of the garment with section 48E' of least stretchability covering the lower back central portion and giving the greatest support to that portion of the body. Sections 49E- 49E being of medium stretchability, stretch with the muscles to support the backto aid in relieving fatigue of the Wearer.- The upper back of the garment is cut diagonally with the weave and has greatest vstretchability so that the movement of the shoulders cause the ligaments of the back to stretch diagonally making it necessary to provide both support, and a great deal of stretchability for that portion. Furthermore, providing a low cut back is preferable for wear with low cut outer garments. Section 50D having greatest stretchability is provided at the lower rear portion to give adequate stretchability especially when the figure is bent or seated. Sections 55E cover the gluteus muscles and support same.

The arrows shown in Fig. 5 indicate the opposed diagonal pressures upon the regions to which such arrows are pointed indicating support at the abdominal region andthe Sacrum region; the dot and dash lines 5| and 55 indicate the V- shaped cut outs for the lower portions of the garment; the points of which receive garters 52-52, 53-53, and Sil- 54.

The edges horizontally shown of Fig. 1 are joined to the edges horizontally shown of Fig. 2. The units indicated by dash lines 36, 31, 38 and 39 are joined either by stitching or known fastening means, similar slide fastener units may be attached to one of said seams for opening the garment when desired.

This type of foundation garment hereinbefore described, because it hugs the gure and stretches with the muscles dueto the diagonal position of the weave, can be Yused without shoulder straps.

4 This is of advantage when certain types of oute garments are worn where shoulder straps would be unsightly and would mar the beauty of the ensemble. Certain types of stout women who have difficulty in wearing shoulder straps which irritate and cut the shoulders would prefer a strapless foundation garment. It is well known in the art to give certain support to portions of the foundation garment such as the brassire to aid in maintaining such a garment in proper position when shoulder straps are not used. Of course, shoulder straps as shown in the figures may be used either-.as shown or in different positions such as crossed, or in any other desired position.

It should be noted that the weave of the material is'placed on the diagonal since virtually all of the muscles of the body stretch diagonally l.except where sections 40F and 48F cover the body in order to give greatestsupport at such portions. It is obvious thatvarious changes and modifications may be made inthe details of construction and arrangement of parts without departing from the general spirit of the invention. I daim: Y 1. A foundation garment of the character described, the main body of which is made from material woven on the diagonal of elastic strands, said material having a series of squares and rectangles of greater and lesser stretchability and so positioned in said foundation garment 'that portions of the material of least stretchability cover the abdominal region and the sacral region providing opposed diagonal pressure upon said regions, portions of said material of Vgreater stretchability than said first named cover the hips and sides of the body, and a portion v of said material of greatest stretchability than rsaid first two named portions covers the lower abdominal region and upper thighs at the center front. l

t 2. A foundation garment vmade from diagonally woven elastic material having sections in the form of squares and rectangles of three degrees of strength and elasticity, the abdominal region, theV thorax or rib sections, the gluteus muscles and the sacral region of the wearer being covered by square diagonal portions of greatest strength and least elasticity, the hips, the lower part of the chest, and part of the .back being covered by rectangular diagonal portions of lesser strength and elasticity, the lower abdominal region and upper thighs, the center of the chest and the upper portion of the back being covered by square diagonal portions of greatest elasticity and least strength, providing different degrees of support to the said different portions of the body Aof the wearer without restricting theV muscles and ligaments.

, CAROLINE BROWN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,693,799 Scofield Dec'. 4, 1928 1,961,961 Coldwell June 5, 1934 1,971,080 ANegri Aug. 21, 1934V 2,347,154 Kahn Apr. 181944 2,370,170 Jasper Feb. 27, 1945" FOREIGN PA'IENTS Number. Country Y .Date

451,896 Great Britain Aug. 13, 193gY portions 

